The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Honor X9a and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. Both promise a compelling experience, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor X9a edges out the Redmi Note 12S thanks to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset and faster charging. While the Redmi Note 12S offers a solid experience, the X9a's performance and charging speed provide a noticeable advantage for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 04 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 06 | Available. Released 2023, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.9 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 176 g (6.21 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MagicOS 7 | Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1), BDS (B1) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Onyx Black, Ice Blue, Pearl Green |
| Models | RMO-NX1 | 2303CRA44A, 23030RAC7Y, 2303ERA42L |
| Price | $ 212.08 | € 122.47 / $ 149.99 / £ 229.89 |
Honor X9a
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- Faster 40W charging
- Likely AMOLED display
- 5G Connectivity
- Camera may not be as versatile as Redmi Note 12S
- Potentially higher price
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
- Potentially better camera versatility (higher resolution main sensor)
- Good value for money
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G96)
- Slower 33W charging
- Likely LCD display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature vibrant displays, likely AMOLED on the X9a and LCD on the Redmi Note 12S. The X9a may offer slightly better color accuracy and contrast due to the AMOLED panel. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both, providing sharp visuals. Screen size is likely similar, around 6.6-6.7 inches.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi Note 12S is expected to have a slightly more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor (likely 108MP vs. X9a's likely 64MP). Both phones will offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance may be a differentiator. Video recording capabilities should be comparable.
Performance
The Honor X9a's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the Redmi Note 12S's Helio G96 (12nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the X9a. The Snapdragon 695 also supports 5G connectivity.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the Honor X9a's 40W charging significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 12S's 33W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Honor X9a is ideal for users prioritizing performance and faster charging. If you're a gamer or frequently multitask, the X9a's chipset will be beneficial. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a great choice for those seeking a reliable, well-rounded phone with a good camera and a focus on value, especially if charging speed isn't a top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor X9a is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset.
❓ Does the Honor X9a support 5G?
Yes, the Honor X9a supports 5G connectivity thanks to the Snapdragon 695 chipset.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Honor X9a has faster charging with its 40W wired charging compared to the Redmi Note 12S's 33W.
